Contents recording system and contents recording method

ABSTRACT

A contents recording system and a contents recording method reducing a time taken for recording and editing of video content and other video contents. An optical disk device for recording video content and a computer are connected via a network. The computer is supplied with low resolution proxy AV data from the optical disk device, streaming reproduces it as live video and, at the same time, introduces essence marks as meta-data to any positions of the proxy AV data, and describes them in a meta-data file. Then, after finishing shooting one clip, the computer merges a meta-data file generated on the optical disk device side in accordance with camera adjustment and a meta-data file generated on the computer side in accordance with the user operation.

CROSS REFERENCES TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

The present invention contains subject matter related to Japanese PatentApplication No. 2005-118394 filed in the Japan Patent Office on Apr. 15,2005, the entire contents of which being incorporated herein byreference.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

1. Field of Invention

The present invention relates to a contents recording system and acontents recording method for recording video content for broadcast useand other video contents, more particularly relates to a technique forlinking a desired position of video contents of a recorded object andindex information for editing.

2. Description of the Art

In recent years, the increase in recording capacities and theimprovement of data transfer speeds have made it possible to use opticaldisks as recording media of video cameras for industrial broadcast use.For example, the recording capacity of a optical disk on which video andaudio data is recorded by a blue violet light emitting diode is as highas about 23 GB by the single side, single layer recording method.Further, the transfer speed (recording bit rate) of the data, althoughdiffering according to the compression ratio, is as high as 50 Mbps ormore.

When using such an optical disk and industrial broadcast use videocamera to capture desired video content, as disclosed in for exampleU.S. Published patent application No. 2005/0008327, the practice is togenerate from the captured video not only video data compressed by arelatively low compression ratio so as not to cause deterioration etc.of the image quality, (main video data), but also proxy video datacompressed with a higher compression ratio than that video data (lowresolution video data) and record it on the optical disk.

Note that the captured audio is also stored by generating not only mainaudio data having a low compression ratio, but also high compressionratio proxy audio data according to need.

The proxy video data and the proxy audio data (hereinafter referred toas the “proxy AV data”) are data for the recently generally practiced“nonlinear editing”. It is fetched into a personal computer, then usedas the contents for editing. This is because when using a personalcomputer etc. for nonlinear editing, its processing capability isinsufficient, therefore the high bit rate main video data as explainedabove cannot be directly used as editing contents.

The editing carried out based on proxy video data in this way issometimes called “proxy editing” (rough editing). This rough editing iscarried out as simple editing on the shoot location etc. In roughediting work, there is for example work for recording the key positionsof the recorded video and for entering comments at desired positions ofthe recorded video. For example, when a baseball game is the videocontent, in the rough editing, there is the work of recording theposition where a home run was hit in the game (time code etc.) andentering comments with respect to that home run.

The U.S. Published Patent Application No. 2005/0008327 discloses“meta-data” as additional information for video data for laterconfirmation of key positions of the video.

The rough editing is mainly work on the location where the video contentis captured. The results thereof are for example transmitted via anetwork to a system of the studio preparing the final broadcast dataseparate from main video and/or audio data (hereinafter simply referredto as the “AV data”) delivered in the form recorded on an optical disk.Then, that studio edits the main video data based on the results of theproxy editing to prepare the final video data for broadcast use.

However, in the past, the rough editing work was carried out afterfinishing recording the video content by transferring the proxy AV datarecorded on the optical disk to a personal computer and playing it backthere. This is because the cameraman recording the video content is busyshooting, therefore cannot record key positions of the video whileshooting. Accordingly, the shooting work and the rough editing work weresequentially carried out, so a very long time was taken.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

In the present invention, therefore, it is desirable to provide acontents recording system and a contents recording method reducing thetime taken for recording and editing video content and other videocontents.

According to the present invention, there is provided a contentsrecording system having a first processing part transmitting videocontents and a second processing part receiving the video contents,wherein the first processing part is provided with a contents recordingpart recording the video contents in parts of a start of recording to anend of recording and a transmitting part starting transmission to thesecond processing part in the order of recording the video contentsbefore the contents recording part ends the recording of one videocontents, and the second processing part is provided with a receivingpart receiving the video contents from the first processing part inorder, a display part displaying the received video contents, and anindex information processing part introducing to a desired position ofthe video contents displayed on the display part index informationserving as an index of that position of the video and recording thatposition and index information linked together.

Preferably, the transmitting part transmits the data to the secondprocessing part in real time in the recording order. Due to this, therecording of the video contents by the contents recording part and thedisplay of the video contents by the display part are carried out withan extremely small time difference.

According to the present invention, there is provided a contentsrecording method performed between a first processing system and asecond processing system, including having the first processing systemstart the recording of the video contents and start the transmission ofthe video contents to the second processing part in the order ofrecording before ending the recording of the video contents and havingthe second processing system sequentially receive the video contents,display the received video contents, introduce to a desired position ofthe video contents to be displayed index information serving as an indexof that position of the video, and record the introduced indexinformation and the corresponding position linked together.

Note that, in the present invention, “contents ID” is a conceptincluding identification information such as unique codes, numerals, andmarks for specifying the video contents.

According to the present invention, the recording of video content andother video contents and the recording linking the video at a desiredposition of the video contents and the index information are carried outparallel, therefore the time taken for the recording and editing can bereduced.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

These and other objects and features of the present invention willbecome clearer from the following description of the preferredembodiments given with reference to the attached drawings, wherein:

FIG. 1 is a diagram showing the overall configuration of a contentsrecording system according to an embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 2 is a diagram showing an example of reservation words used fordefining essence marks;

FIG. 3 is a block diagram showing the configuration of an optical diskdevice according to an embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 4 is a diagram illustrating the data configuration of a proxy AVdata file;

FIG. 5 is a block diagram showing the configuration of a personalcomputer according to an embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 6 is a diagram showing a displayed image of a display of thecomputer according to an embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 7 is a flow chart for explaining an operation of a contentsrecording system according to an embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 8 is a flow chart for explaining an operation of a contentsrecording system according to an embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 9 is a flow chart for explaining an operation of a contentsrecording system according to an embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 10 is a flow chart for explaining an operation of a contentsrecording system according to an embodiment of the present invention;and

FIG. 11 is a flow chart for explaining the operation at the time of acommunication abnormality of the contents recording system according toan embodiment of the present invention.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

Below, a contents recording system 1 according to an embodiment of thepresent invention will be explained in the following order.

Overall Configuration of Contents Recording System 1

Configuration of Optical Disk Device 2

Configuration of Computer 3

GUI of Computer 3

Operation of Contents Recording System 1

-   -   (1) Start of Network Connection to Video Display    -   (2) Start of Recording    -   (3) Input of Essence Mark EM    -   (4) End of Recording    -   (5) Communication Interruption Processing

Effects of Embodiment

[Overall Configuration of Contents Recording System 1]

The contents recording system 1 is a system for recording and/or roughediting video content (video contents) at for example the location ofproduction of a broadcast program. The contents recording system 1 is asystem enabling the input of essence marks etc. at desired positions ofthe video content (proxy AV data) and the generation of a meta-data fileaccompanied with that in parallel with the recording of the videocontent.

Note that in general, meta-data is higher data concerning certain dataand functioning as an index for expressing content of various types ofdata. In the explanation of the present embodiment, the meta-data istime-series meta-data comprised by an essence mark, a unique materialidentifier (UMID: identifier of AV contents internationally standardizedas SMPTE 330 M), and a frame count (or a time code) and is generated inboth the optical disk device 2 and the computer 3. Further, according toneed, non-time series meta-data is also generated.

The essence mark will be explained later.

FIG. 1 is a view showing the overall configuration of the contentsrecording system 1.

As shown in FIG. 1, the contents recording system 1 includes an opticaldisk device 2 for recording video content acquired by a camera meanssuch as a video camera and a personal computer 3 (hereinafter referredto as the “computer 3”) receiving the video content as proxy AV data viaa network 900 and performing streaming reproduction and able to inputindex information for editing.

The transfer of AV data encoded with a high bit rate from the opticaldisk device 2 to the computer 3 and its processing there as is sometimesis difficult when considering the communication capacity and theprocessing capability of the computer 3. Therefore, in the presentembodiment, low resolution proxy AV data is generated at the opticaldisk device 2 side and transmitted to the computer 3.

The computer 3 receives and reproduces (streaming reproduces) the proxyAV data and allows the input of essence marks to any positions of theproxy AV data.

Note that, in the contents recording system 1, the optical disk device 2and the computer 3 are connected to the network 900 according to apredetermined Ethernet protocol.

In a preferred usage of the contents recording system 1, for example auser B different from a user A operating the optical disk device 2operates the computer 3. In such usage, the user A can concentrate onthe camera work, and the user B can input the index informationnecessary for the editing while monitoring the captured content in realtime. Accordingly, the shooting work and the editing work can besimultaneously performed.

Next, the index information of the present invention, that is, theessence mark, will be briefly explained.

An essence mark indicates an index linked to a desired video scene (orcut) of the AV data acquired from the video content. By referring to theessence mark, even when not reproducing the AV data, a specific scenelinked with the essence mark can be determined. This is convenient forediting.

In the contents recording system 1, the essence mark is previouslydefined as a reservation word. Accordingly, it is possible to handle theessence mark as common meta-data in the interface between the opticaldisk device 2 and the computer 3 without converting it in accordancewith the opposing system.

FIG. 2 is a diagram showing examples of the reservation words used fordefining the essence marks. Note that FIG. 2 shows examples. It is alsopossible to further additionally define other essence marks. “_RecStart”is a capture start mark indicating the start position of the recording.“_RecEnd” is a capture end mark indicating an end position of therecording. “_ShotMark1” and “_ShotMark2” are shot marks indicating anypositions of points of time to be noted etc. “_Cut” is a cut markindicating a cut position. “_Flash” is a flash mark indicating a flashdetection position where a flash position was detected. “_FilterChange”is a filter change mark indicating a position where a lens filter ischanged in the camera device. “_ShutterSpeedChange” is a shutter speedchange mark indicating a position where the shutter speed is changed inthe camera device. “_GainChange” is a gain change mark indicating aposition where the gain of the filter etc. is changed.“_WhiteBalanceChange” is a white balance change mark indicating aposition where the white balance is changed. “_OverBrightness” is a markindicating a position where the output level of a video signal exceeds alimit value. “_OverAudioLimiter” is a large volume mark indicating aposition where the output level of the audio signal exceeds the limitvalue.

The marks explained above are recorded linked with frame counts of thevideo data.

“_In-XXX” is an editing start mark indicating the cut or cut startposition of the contents. “_Out-XXX” is an editing end mark indicatingthe cut or cut ending position of the contents. In the editing startmark and the editing end mark, numerals, letters, etc. are assigned toparts of “XXX” in order whenever the editing start point (IN point) andthe editing end point (OUT point) are added. For example, they becomelike “_In-001”, “_In-002”, -.

Note that, in FIG. 2, essence marks depending upon the camera function,for example “_Flash”, ShutterSpeedChange”, and “_WhiteBalanceChange” aregenerated on the optical disk device 2 side and entered in the meta-datafile.

In FIG. 2, essence marks for the video editing, for example“_ShotMark1”, “_ShotMark2”, “_In-XXX”, and “_Out-XXX” are input on thecomputer 3 side and entered in the meta-data file.

By using the essence marks defined as explained above as indexes at thetime of the rough editing, it becomes possible to efficiently selectvideo scenes in accordance with the objective.

[Configuration of Optical Disk Device 2]

Next, an explanation will be given of the configuration of the opticaldisk device 2 with reference to FIG. 3.

FIG. 3 is a block diagram showing the configuration of the optical diskdevice 2.

In FIG. 3, a camera part 21 includes a camera for shooting the videocontent, an LCD for monitoring the video, and a camera adjustmentmechanism. The camera part 21 generates an AV signal in which a videosignal and an audio signal are multiplexed and supplies it to an AVsignal interface 22. For example, in response to the input of anoperation part 29, the recording of the video content is started andended to generate one clip of the AV signal. Note that a continuousvideo section from the start of one recording operation up to the end ofthe recording is referred to as none clip”. In the optical disk device2, the AV data, the proxy AV data, etc. are managed in parts of clips,and the files are generated in parts of clips.

Further, the camera part 21 for example adjusts the white balance andoperates the flash etc. in response to input of the operation part 29.

The AV signal interface 22 outputs the video signal supplied from thecamera part 21 to the video encoding part 23 and outputs the audiosignal to the audio processor 24.

The video encoding part 23 digitally converts the supplied video signalaccording to need, then compression encodes it by for example an MPEG(Moving Picture Experts Group) 2 method and outputs the obtained datavia a predetermined interface circuit to a bus 20.

The audio processor 24 converts the audio signal supplied from the AVsignal interface 22 from an analog to digital format and outputs theobtained data via a predetermined interface circuit to the bus 20.

A drive 25 is configured by a pick-up controller 252 for controllingemission a laser beam from the pick-up and detection of reflected lightthereof, a data processor 252 for outputting the data to be recorded onthe optical disk 4 to the pick-up 251 and acquiring data from thereflected light of the laser beam detected at the pick-up 251, and adrive interface 254 for transferring data between the data processor 253and the bus 29.

Note that the drive 25 has a loading function of the optical disk, butthe function block is omitted in FIG. 3.

A CPU 26 loads a control program recorded in a ROM 27 in a RAM 271 tocontrol the overall operation of the optical disk device 2. For example,the CPU 26 controls the parts of the drive 25 when the optical disk 4 isloaded in the drive 25.

The CPU 26 multiplexes output data of the video encoding part 23 and theaudio processor 24 to generate the AV data and the proxy AV data. Atthat time, it controls the video encoding part 23 so as to compressionencode the proxy AV data by a lower bit rate than the AV data.

The generated proxy AV data is transmitted via the communicationinterface 28 to the computer 3 for example for every 2 second packet.

The CPU 26 controls the drive 25 to record 1 clip's worth of the proxyAV data as the proxy AV data file on the optical disk 4. As shown inFIG. 4, the proxy AV data file is comprised of a proxy header(hereinafter, referred to as “a header”), packet data, and a footer.

The header includes data in which the compression method of the proxy AVdata is described and also recording length data. Accordingly, thecontent of the header is decided at the end of the recording.

The packet data includes a plurality of packets each including the proxyAV data for 2 seconds. Each packet includes, other than the proxy AVdata for 2 seconds, a clip number for specifying the clip and a packetnumber for specifying the packet. The clip number is set in accordancewith the UMID of the corresponding clip and is a unique number differentfor each clip. The packet numbers become continuous numbers for packetssequentially transmitted from the start of the recording (for example“C0001”, “C0002”, ).

The footer includes a code indicating the end of the proxy AV data.

Note that the optical disk device 2 transmits the header and themeta-data file explained later to the computer 3 after the end of theshooting one clip in response to a request from the computer 3.

When for example adjusting the white balance, operating the flash, andotherwise adjusting the camera, the CPU 25 extracts the correspondingessence mark EM and describes it in a meta-data file MDF1 related to theframe count at the time of that camera adjustment. Namely, the positionof one clip of the video content and the essence mark set correspondingto the position are described in the meta-data file MDF1 linkedtogether. Then, one clip's worth of the meta-data file MDF1 is recordedon the optical disk 4.

Note that, as will be explained later, the meta-data file MDF1 on theoptical disk 4 is rewritten to a meta-data file MDF3 after receiving themeta-data file MDF3 from the computer 3.

The CPU 26 generates a status STS as data indicating the operation stateof the optical disk device 2. Then, in response to a request from thecomputer 3, it returns the status STS. The status STS includes “REC”indicating recording is in progress, “PLAY” indicating reproduction isin progress, and “STOP” (or “PAUSE”) indicating the operation isstopped. For example, when the recording is started in the status of“STOP”, the status changes from “STOP” to “REC”. Further, when therecording is ended, the status changes from “REC” to “STOP”.

When a new clip of the AV data begins to be generated by the recordingstart operation, the CPU 26 generates the corresponding clip data. Theclip data includes a clip number, a frame rate, and UMID. The opticaldisk device 2 transmits the clip data to the computer 3 in response tothe request from the computer 3.

[Configuration of Computer 3]

Next, an explanation will be given of the configuration of the computer3.

To computer 3 is transmitted the multiplexed proxy AV data from theoptical disk device 2 in parts of packets. The computer 3 streamingreproduces (outputs video and outputs audio of) the received proxy AVdata and can input an essence mark as index information to a desiredposition of the proxy AV data. Then, the input essence mark is describedin the meta-data file and a thumbnail image corresponding to the inputposition of the essence mark is displayed.

As shown in FIG. 5, the computer 3 is configured by a communicationinterface 31, an operation part 32, a memory 33, a display 34, a speaker35, and a CPU 36.

The communication interface 31 is configured so as to be able tocommunicate with the optical disk device 2 according to a predeterminedEthernet protocol. The communication interface 31 receives the statusSTS, the clip data, and the proxy AV data from the optical disk device 2during the recording of one clip of the video content. Further, thecommunication interface 31 receives the header and the meta-data fileMDF1 after recording the clip.

The operation part 32 configures a predetermined GUI (Graphical UserInterface) in cooperation with the display 34. Namely, the operationpart 32 has for example a keyboard. The input of an operation withrespect to that keyboard corresponds to the image displayed on thedisplay 34.

The operation part 32 receives the essence mark EM as the input of anoperation. Namely, the user operating the computer 3 monitors thereproduced video (live video) of the proxy AV data and inputs theessence marks EM as indexes for the editing work in the laterprocessing.

For example, during the reproduction of the live video of a professionalbaseball game, by performing a predetermined operation with respect tothe operation part 32 at the point of time when a home run occurs, anessence mark EM corresponding to home run is linked with the framecount. Due to this, editing work that generates the AV data of a digestversion of the professional baseball game later becomes easy.

Each input essence mark EM is linked to the frame count at the point oftime of the input by the CPU 36. Further, the operation part 32 acceptstext data (comments) corresponding to the essence mark EM.

The essence mark EM, the frame count (or time code), and the comment aredescribed in a meta-data file MDF2. Then, one clip's worth of themeta-data file MDF2 is recorded in the memory 33.

The CPU 36 requests and acquires the status STS (data indicating thestatus of the optical disk device 2) generated by the optical diskdevice 2 from the optical disk device 2 for example every second via thecommunication interface 31. Namely, the CPU 32 detects every secondwhether the optical disk device 2 is presently recording (“REC”),reproducing (“PLAY”), or at a stop (“STOP”).

The CPU 36 sequentially streaming reproduces the proxy AV data acquiredfrom the computer 3. Namely, it decodes the proxy AV data, sequentiallydisplays video obtained by the decoding in the display 34, and outputsthe audio obtained by the decoding to the speaker 35.

The CPU 36 records one clip's worth of the proxy AV data acquired fromthe optical disk device 2 in the memory 33 linked to the clip data.Namely, it manages the proxy AV data for each clip. Then, the CPU 36adds a footer to the tail of the proxy AV data at the time of the end ofthe recording by the optical disk device 2 and adds the header acquiredfrom the optical disk device 2 after the end of the recording to theheader of the proxy AV data to generate the proxy AV data file.

The CPU 36 acquires the meta-data file MDF1 from the optical disk device2 after the end of the recording of one clip, merges it with a meta-datafile MDF2 generated in the inside to generate the meta-data file MDF3,and stores this in the memory 33.

The merging of meta-data files is carried out as follows.

When the frame counts linked with the essence marks EM are differentbetween the meta-data file MDF2 and the meta-data file MDF1, they aremerged as they are.

When essence marks EM in the meta-data files MDF2 and MDF1 are linkedwith the same frame count, the frame count corresponding to the essencemark EM of one of them (for example MDF1) is shifted (for exampleincreased) by for example one. Namely, after the merging, processing iscarried out so that there is only one corresponding essence mark EM foreach of the frame counts.

Then, the CPU 36 transmits the meta-data file MDF3 obtained by themerging to the optical disk device 2. Due to this, the optical diskdevice 2 and the computer 3 can manage clips by the common meta-datafile MDF3.

The display 34 performs the video reproduction of the transmitted proxyAV data, the display in response to the input of the essence marks, etc.according to a predetermined GUI in cooperation with the operation part32.

An example of the GUI of the display 34 will be explained later.

[GUI of Computer 3]

Next, an explanation will be given of the GUI of the computer 3.

FIG. 6 is a diagram showing a displayed image of the display 34 of thecomputer 3. As shown in the diagram, the display 34 is configured byschematically four display areas A1 to A4. Note that FIG. 6 shows anexample of display where the optical disk device 2 is recording.

The display area A1 is an area displaying a file management state inparts of clips based on the disk data and the clip data. In FIG. 6,“C0001” to “C0011” indicate clip numbers of already recorded proxy AVdata files in the memory 33. Further, in FIG. 6, in order to emphasizethe fact that proxy AV data having a clip number of “C0012” is beingreceived, in the display area A1, “C0012” is displayed by a displaymethod different from the clip of the other clip numbers.

The display area A2 is an area displaying the video (live video) of theproxy AV data being received. In the display area A2, other than thelive video, the time information and the detection result of the statusSTS (for example “REC” in an area A21 on the left bottom end of thedisplay area A2) are displayed.

The display area A3 is an area displaying the correspondence-between thefunction keys of the operation part 32 and texts (EM names)corresponding to the essence marks. For example, the EM name “ShotMrk1”corresponding to the essence mark “_ShotMark1” (see FIG.. 2) isdisplayed corresponding to the function key F1. The user operating thecomputer 3 depresses the function key at the desired position of thelive video, whereby the corresponding essence mark EM is input. Theinput essence mark is described in the meta-data file MDF2.

The display area A4 is an area displaying a thumbnail imagecorresponding to the input essence mark EM. When the essence mark EM isinput by the depression of the function key, the image displayed in thedisplay area A2 at the time of the input is converted to a bit mapformat, and as shown in FIG. 6, a thumbnail image area including a bitmap image (thumbnail image), an essence mark, a comment, etc. isgenerated and displayed. Note that a comment column of the thumbnailimage area always receives text input after the thumbnail image area isgenerated.

The thumbnail image area displays the time code (LTC) by adding theframe count linked with the essence mark EM to the clip start time.

In FIG. 6, the proxy AV data of the clip having the clip number of“C0012” is reproduced. In for example the display area A42, a pluralityof thumbnail image areas of the clip are displayed so that scrolling ispossible. Further, in the display area A41, property information (forexample, title, date, and a thumbnail image at the time of the recordingstart) of the clip which has become active in the display area Al. (inthe figure, the clip of “C0012”) is displayed.

The computer 3 has the GUI as explained above, therefore, the user canmonitor the video content during recording in real time as the livevideo and can input essence marks EM which become necessary for thelater editing work to the desired positions of the live video. Further,memos can be input to the comment column of the thumbnail image area.This is useful for the later editing work.

[Operation of Contents Recording System 1]

Next, an explanation will be given of the operation of the contentsrecording system 1.

(1) Start of Network Connection to Video Display (see FIG. 7)

First, in order to establish communication between the optical diskdevice 2 and the computer 3, connection is requested from the computer 3to the optical disk device 2 (step ST1). For example, the computer 3 isconfigured so as to accept the input of a user name and a password. Inthe optical disk device 2, an authentication operation is carried outbased on the input content (step ST2). Then, the optical disk device 2notifies the authentication result to the computer 3 (step ST3). Whenthe authentication succeeds, the processing of step ST4 and followingsteps are carried out.

Note that, in FIG. 7, it is assumed that the status STS of the opticaldisk device 2 is “STOP”, that is, the operation is stopped, and video isnot being recorded.

At step ST4, the computer 3 requests the status STS and the disk data DD(step ST4). Here, the disk data DD includes an ID (disc ID) unique tothe optical disk loaded in the optical disk device 2. In response tothese requests, the computer 3 receives the status STS and the disc dataDD from the optical disk device 2 (step ST5).

Note that, although not shown, hereinafter, the computer 3 requests thestatus STS with respect to the optical disk device 2 and acquires thestatus STS periodically, for example for every second.

Next, the computer 3 requests the proxy AV data (step ST6). In responseto that request, the optical disk device 2 transmits the proxy AV dataof an EE (Electric to Electric) image (step ST7). Namely, the opticaldisk device 2 is at a stop, therefore does not record the acquiredvideo, but only transmits it as it is to the computer 3. Then, thecomputer 3 streaming reproduces the received proxy AV data (step ST8).Namely, it decodes the proxy AV data, sequentially displays the videoobtained by the decoding in the display 34, and outputs the audioobtained by the decoding to the speaker 35.

Note that the time when the recording is started at the optical diskdevice 2 side depends upon the timing of operation by the user of theoptical disk device 2 and cannot be predicted in advance. On the otherhand, it is very difficult to constantly store the proxy AV data of theEE image for the start of recording when considering the limited storagecapacity of the memory 33.

Accordingly, in the computer 3, a temporary proxy AV data file able towrite for example 30 packets (one packet is 2 seconds' worth of theproxy AV data) is provided. Then, the proxy AV data of 1 minute isstored in the temporary proxy AV data file (step ST9). Before that 1minute passes, a new temporary proxy AV-data file is generated. Theproxy AV data of the next one minute is stored in this new temporaryproxy AV data file, and the previous temporary proxy AV data file isdeleted. Such processing is repeatedly carried out.

Due to this, the increase of the data of the proxy AV data of the EEimage stored by the computer 3 is prevented. Further, at least onepacket's worth of the proxy AV data is always stored, therefore, even ina case where the status change to “REC” is detected at any time, theproxy AV data immediately after the start of recording will not be lost.

(2) Start of Recording (see FIG. 8)

Next, when the optical disk device 2 starts the recording in response toinput of an operation by the user of the optical disk device 2, theoptical disk device 2 changes the status STS from “STOP” to “REC”. Thecomputer 3 requests the status STS every second and soon detects thisstatus change (step ST10). The detection result is displayed on thedisplay 34 of the computer 3 so that the user can recognize it.

Then, the computer 3 requests the clip data of the AV data beingrecorded from the optical disk device 2 (step ST11). The optical diskdevice 2 manages the AV data being recording by the clip numbercorresponding to the UMID and transmits the clip data including thisclip number to the computer 3 (step ST12). Due to this, the optical diskdevice 2 and the computer 3 can manage a file related to a common clipnumber.

The computer 3 prepares the proxy AV data file linked with the clipnumber included in the received clip data. Then, the computer 3 requeststhe proxy AV data (step ST13) and receives the proxy AV data in parts ofpackets (step ST14). The received proxy AV data is sequentially storedin the prepared proxy AV data file (step ST15).

(3) Input of Essence Mark EM (see FIG. 9)

During the recording and the streaming reproduction in the computer 3,an essence mark is received via the operation part 32 and described inthe meta-data file MDF2.

The text (EM name) corresponding to the essence mark EM is previouslyset and registered in the memory 33 linked with for example a functionkey of the operation part 32. Then, when detecting input with respect tothe function key (step ST20), the CPU 36 reads out the essence mark EMcorresponding to that input from the memory 33 and extracts the framecount of the video at the point of time when the input is detected (stepST21).

Further, the operation part 32 accepts input of comments (step ST24).Not limited to the timing between steps ST21 and ST22 as illustrated,this comment input is accepted at any time according to need.

The essence mark EM, the frame count, and the comment are described inthe meta-data file MDF2 linked together (step ST22).

Further, the image reproduced on the display 34 at the point of timewhen input with respect to a function key is detected is converted toimage data in the bit map format to generate a thumbnail image anddisplayed (step ST23). As previously explained, the input of the commentis possible even after generating the thumbnail image.

(4) End of Recording (see FIG. 10)

Next, when the optical disk device 2 ends the recording along with inputof an operation of the user with respect to the optical disk device 2,the optical disk device 2 changes the status STS from “REC” to “STOP”.The computer 3 requests the status STS every second and detects thisstatus change in a short time (step ST30).

When the recording of one clip ends, the optical disk device 2 writesthe recording length (recording period) data of that clip into theheader. Due to this, the header is completed.

After detecting the status change, the computer 3 requests the header(step ST31) and receives the completed header (step ST32). The computer3 adds the acquired header to the header of the proxy AV data file andadds the footer (predetermined code indicating the end position) to thetail of the proxy AV data stored in the proxy AV data file. By thisprocessing, the proxy AV data file is completed in the computer 3.

Next, the computer 3 requests the meta-data file MDF1 generated in theoptical disk device 2 from the optical disk device 2 (step ST34) andacquires it (step ST35).

Further, the computer 3 merges the meta-data file MDF2 and the meta-datafile MDF1 to generate the meta-data file MDF3 (step ST36).

The meta-data file MDF3 generated by the merger is transmitted to theoptical disk device 2 (step ST37). Then, the optical disk device 2rewrites the meta-data file MDF1 on the optical disk to the acquiredmeta-data file MDF3 (step ST38). Due to this, the user of the opticaldisk device 2 interprets the meta-data file to which the essence mark EMinput with respect to the computer 3 is added and becomes able to editthe AV data (main data).

(5) Communication Interruption Processing (see FIG. 11)

Next, an explanation will be given of the processing in the case where acommunication abnormality occurs between the optical disk device 2 andthe computer 3 due to trouble etc. of the network. A communicationabnormality becomes a problem when the optical disk device 2 isrecording the video content.

First, when the communication interface 31 of the computer 3 detects acommunication abnormality (step ST40), it is checked whether or not thestatus STS of the optical disk device 2 is “REC”, that is, recording isin progress (step ST41). For example, when there is no response from theoptical disk device 2 to a packet request from the computer 3 within asuitable period, it can be judged that there is a communicationabnormality.

When the status STS is not “REC” at step ST41, it is decided that astatus change (for example from “REC” to “STOP”) has occurred during thecommunication abnormality and the present clip has ended, then the proxyAV data file and the meta-data file MDF2 are closed (step ST42).

When the status STS is “REC” at step ST41, two types of cases can beconsidered: (i) the case where the optical disk device 2 is recording inthe same clip from before when the communication abnormality occurredand (ii) the case where the optical disk device 2 side engaged in a stopoperation and recording start operation during the communicationabnormality and as a result is recording a different clip from thatbefore the communication abnormality. Accordingly, the computer 3requests the clip data after the occurrence of the communicationabnormality (step ST43), acquires the clip data (step ST44), thenperforms the processing in accordance with the clip data.

Note that although not shown, the computer 3 starts to receive the proxyAV data after acquiring the clip data.

The CPU 36 of the computer 3 compares the clip number acquired beforethe occurrence of the communication abnormality and the clip numberacquired after the occurrence of the communication abnormality (stepST45) and performs the following processing.

When clip numbers coincide between before and after the occurrence ofthe communication abnormality, it is checked if packet numbers of theproxy AV data received before and after the occurrence of thecommunication abnormality are continuous (step ST46). In the receptionof proxy AV data of the same clip, packet numbers always continue,therefore, the case where these are not continuous means a loss of thedata due to the communication abnormality.

When the packet numbers are not continuous, the difference of packetnumbers before and after the occurrence of the communication abnormalityis calculated, and a stuffing video of a period corresponding to thatdifference (=“difference value”×2 seconds) is inserted into the proxy AVdata (step ST47). Due to this, the timing of the proxy AV data normallyrecovers, and the problem that a time deviation occurs when the editingis carried out later is avoided.

Note that as the stuffing video, insertion of a black image so as toprevent giving the user a strange feeling is desirable, but the imagemay also be other than black.

When the clip numbers do not coincide before and after the occurrence ofthe communication abnormality, it is decided that the clip changed tothe next clip during the communication abnormality, the file preparedbefore the occurrence of the communication abnormality is closed (stepST48), and, based on the new clip data received in step ST44, new files(proxy AV data file, meta-data file) are opened (step ST49).

Further, in such a case, since the initial packet is missing in the newclip, a stuffing video of a period corresponding to the packet numberacquired first as a new clip (=“packet number”×2 seconds) is insertedinto the proxy AV data (step ST50). Due to this, in the same way as stepST47, the timing of the recorded proxy AV data recovers to normal, andthe problem that a time deviation occurs when performing the editinglater is avoided.

Effects of Embodiment

As explained above, in a contents recording system 1 according to thepresent embodiment, the optical disk device 2 recording the videocontent and the computer 3 are connected via a network. The computer 3is supplied with the low resolution proxy AV data from the optical diskdevice 2, streaming reproduces the same as live video, introduces anessence mark EM to any position of the proxy AV data, and describes itin the meta-data file MDF2. Then, after the end of the capture of oneclip, the computer 3 merges the meta-data file MDF2 and the meta-datafile MDF1 generated on the optical disk device 2 side in accordance withthe camera adjustment. The meta-data file MDF3 obtained by the merger istransferred to the optical disk device 2, and the meta-data file MDF1 onthe optical disk is rewritten. Due to this, the following effects areobtained.

Namely,

(1) when a user B (editor) different from the user A (cameraman)operating the optical disk device 2 operates the computer 3, the user Acan concentrate on the camera work, and the user B can monitor thecamera content in real time and input the essence marks necessary forthe editing in real time. Accordingly, the camera work and the roughediting work can be simultaneously advanced, and, in comparison with theconventional system sequentially performing the camera work and therough editing work, the work time can be greatly reduced.

(2) In the conventional system, in the rough editing work, the editornoted the time code of the desired video scene and any comments in amemo while reproducing the recorded video content, but when using thecontents recording system 1 according to the present embodiment, he candirectly input the essence mark and the comment to the computer 3 duringthe recording of the video content, so the editing efficiency isremarkably improved.

Further, in the contents recording system 1 according to the presentembodiment, after the end of shooting of one clip, a proxy headerdescribing the recording length is transferred from the optical diskdevice 2 to the computer 3. Due to this, a proxy AV data file the sameas that by the optical disk device 2 for recording the video content canbe generated. Accordingly, the editor can quickly transfer the proxy AVdata file from the computer 3 to the system etc. of the studio preparingthe final broadcast use data via the network. Accordingly, the editingefficiency is remarkably improved.

In the contents recording system 1 according to the present embodiment,during the recording of video content, the optical disk device 2sequentially transfers to the computer 3 packets each including apredetermined period's worth of the proxy AV data, the clip number, andthe packet number. Then, when detecting a communication abnormality, thecomputer 3 inserts a stuffing video (for example black image) into thereceived proxy AV data based on changes of the clip number and thepacket number. Accordingly, even in the case where a communicationabnormality occurs, no time deviation occurs between the proxy AV dataand the AV data (main data), so this will not become an obstacle in theediting work.

Note that the present invention is not limited to the above embodiment.Various modifications of the present invention are possible by a personskilled in the art within a range not changing the gist of the presentinvention.

For example, in the above embodiment, the proxy AV data is data having alow resolution compression encoded with a low bit rate in comparisonwith the AV data (main data), but the invention is not limited to this.It may be data having a smaller amount of information than the AV dataconsidering the communication capacity between the optical disk device 2and the computer 3 and the processing capability of the computer 3.Further, future increases in the communication capacity and strikingimprovements in the processing capability of the computer 3 shouldenable transfer of the AV data (main data) to the computer 3 as it is.

Further, in the explanation of the above embodiment, the computer 3preferably reproduced the proxy AV data generated in the optical diskdevice 2 in real time, but there is the effect that the editingefficiency is improved even in the case where the data is reproducedalong with a time lag in accordance with the communication capacity andthe processing capability of the computer 3. Namely, if starting thetransfer of the proxy AV data of the already recorded video contentbefore the optical disk device 2 ends the recording of the video contentand having the computer 3 reproduce the transferred proxy AV data andinput the essence marks in the computer 3, the camera work and the roughediting work can be performed overlapping in terms of time and theediting efficiency can be improved.

It should be understood by those skilled in the art that variousmodifications, combinations, sub-combinations and alterations may occurdepending on design requirements and other factors insofar as they arewithin the scope of the appended claims or the equivalents thereof.

1. A contents recording system having a first processing parttransmitting video contents and a second processing part receiving thevideo contents, wherein the first processing part includes a contentsrecording part recording video contents in parts of a start of recordingto an end of recording and a transmitting part starting transmission tothe second processing part in the order of recording the video contentsbefore the contents recording part ends the recording of one videocontents, and the second processing part includes a receiving partreceiving the video contents from the first processing part in order, adisplay part displaying the received video contents, and an indexinformation processing part introducing to a desired position of thevideo contents displayed on the display part index information servingas an index of that position of the video and recording that positionand index information linked together.
 2. A contents recording system asset forth in claim 1, wherein said second processing part successivelydisplays the video of the positions of the video contents and indexinformation linked together.
 3. A contents recording system as set forthin claim 2, wherein said display part includes a first display areasuccessively displaying received video contents and a second displayarea displaying the video of the positions of the video contents andindex information linked together in a scrollable manner.
 4. A contentsrecording system as set forth in claim 1, wherein said first processingpart generates a first file linking positions of said video contents andindex information set in accordance with the positions and said secondprocessing part generates a second file linking positions of said videocontents and index information introduced corresponding to saidpositions and generates a third file merging said first and second filesconditional on the recording of said video contents ending.
 5. Acontents recording system as set forth in claim 4, wherein said firstprocessing part acquires a third file corresponding to one videocontents from the second processing part and records the acquired thirdfile in place of the first file generated for that video contents.
 6. Acontents recording system as set forth in claim 1, wherein said firstprocessing part manages the video contents of the recorded objects byunique contents IDs and said second processing part processes thereceived video contents and the contents IDs of the video contentslinked together.
 7. A contents recording system as set forth in claim 1,wherein said second processing part has a detection part detecting astate of whether said contents recording part is in the middle ofrecording and displays the results of detection of said detection parton said display part.
 8. A contents recording system as set forth inclaim 1, wherein said first processing part converts said video contentsto second video contents of a lower resolution than said video contentsand transmits that to the second processing part.
 9. A contentsrecording method performed between a first processing system and asecond processing system, including having the first processing systemstart recording of video contents and start transmission of the videocontents to the second processing part in the order of recording beforeending the recording of the video contents and having the secondprocessing system sequentially receive the video contents, display thereceived video contents, introduce to a desired position of the videocontents to be displayed index information serving as an index of thatposition of the video, and record the introduced index information andthe corresponding position linked together.
 10. A contents transmittingsystem for transmitting video contents to a processing system,comprising: a contents recording part recording video contents in partsfrom a start of recording to an end of recording, a transmitting partstarting transmission of said video contents to said processing systemin the order of recording before said contents recording part finishesrecording one video contents, and a processing part generating a firstfile linking positions of said video contents and index information setcorresponding to those positions linked together and transmitting thesame to said processing system, wherein said transmitting part acquiresfrom said contents processing system a third file merging a second filelinking positions of said video contents and new index information andsaid first file generated conditional on said contents processing systemfinishing the recording of said video contents by said contentsrecording part and records the acquired third file in place of saidfirst file.
 11. A contents processing system for processing videocontents transmitted from a contents transmitting system, comprising: areceiving part receiving video contents from said video contentstransmitting system in order and receiving a first file linkingpositions of said video contents and index information set correspondingto said positions generated by said contents transmitting part and aprocessing part introducing to a desired position of said video contentsdisplayed on a display part new index information serving as an index ofthat position of the video and recording said position and said indexinformation linked together and successively displaying on said displaypart the video of positions of the video contents and said indexinformation linked together, wherein said processing part generates asecond file linking positions of video contents and new indexinformation corresponding to said positions and generating a third filemerging said first and second files conditional on said contentstransmitting system finishing recording of said video contents.